Gun.



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WH m A NIM www.

PATENTED JAN. 17, '19051 S. N. MGGLEAN.

Y GUN. APPLICATION FILED JULY 14,1900.

PATENTED'AJAN. 17, 1905.

S. N'. MGGLEAN.

GUN.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 14, 1900.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. l H11 rl PATENTED JANlV, 190.5. S. N. MGGLEAN. y

GUN. APPLICATION FILED JULY 14, 1900.

W 41.77.111 `r l.

no. vedere.

Patented January 17, 1905.

santini. N. Meerman, or' Cnnvnaaiin, oi-iio.

een.

SPECIFICA'SLEON forming part of Letters Patent No. 'Yil dated J l?,Iii-E55 Appleman ned my in, woo. serai no. 22,616.

To @ZZ whom it my'conccrn:

Be it known that, SAMUEL N. MOCLEAN, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of yUlevelanehOhio, have invented a new and usefulimprovement in Guns, which is uliy set forth in the followingspecification.

My invention relates toheavy ordnance and to power-actuated devices formanipulating the breech mechanism and to means for con- IO trolling therecoil and utilizing the force of Ithe gases of discharge for storing upthe energy required in the various operations to be performed inmanipulating the gun. In guns of this class, which often throwprojectiles i5 nearly half a ton in weight, the discharge has heretoforeresulted in the recoil of the gun with such enormous jforce. as toimpose upon the gun-carriage most severe and destructive strains and hasnecessitated the construction 20,01l very heavy and exceedinglyexpensivegun- 2 5 isf exceedingly heavy and. difiicult to operate rapidly inopening and closing the breech.

The objects of the present invention are to provide means whereby theenormous and destructive strains due to recoil may be partially 'o rentirely eliminated to the end thatasimple,

iight, and inexpensive carriage may be used in connection with theheaviest guns and in this connection touprovide means actuated by thestored energy of the gases of discharge for opening and closing thebreech mechanism.

With these objects in view the invention consists of a gun having at ornear its muzzle end a combined recoil-check and air-comi pl'wlgaid checkb eing in the form of a gas- 40 nozzle which catches any requiredportion oi the gases of discharge and directs or applies them in such aWay that their action opposes that of the recoil and at the same timeactuates an airfcompressor whereby power is '45 stored to be utilized inthe manipulation of .the breeclrblock.

More specically stated, the invention consists of a gun .having at ornear its muzzle end a gas-nozzle in the form of an expansionchambercombined with anair-compressor,

which gas-nozzle is provided with automatically-controlled vent-portswhereby the force of the gas-current may be regulated and theapplication thereof be secured atany required pressure, said gas-nozzleand compressor being combined with a power device for automaticallyunlocking, withdrawing, and swingin'g the breech-block to one side,means being controlled by the compressor for automatically admittingcompressed air from a suitable reservoir t said power device upon thedischarge'of the gun; and the invention further consists in a series ofconnected cylinders for unlocking. withdrawing, and swinging thebreech-block to one side to open the breech and to return, reenter, andrelock the block to close the breech, combined withautomatically-tripped valves admitting the pressure from one cylinder tothe other in succession as required.

My invention is not limited to any particular construction of mechanicaldetails, since the inventive idea involved may be embodied in a varietyoi' mechanical structures. I have, however, for the purpose ofillustration shown in the accompanyingdrawings one form which theinvention may assume.

in the drawings, Figure i is a side elevation of the rear portion of agun having my invention applied thereto', the guri-platformbeing shownin vertical section. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through thebreechblock and ,its pintle on the line 77, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a verticallongitudinal section of the breech end ot' the gun on the line 8 8, Fig.1t, with the brecchblocl in locked position. Fig. 4 is a rear elevationoi' the gun.

10 10, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a sectionthrough the cylinder for swinging theblock and tray open, showing a form oi' automatic valve that may beemployed.

Fig. 5 is ay central horizontal section of the same on line4 Fig. 'i isa broken section onv the line i2, Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a central verticalsection of the muzzle of the gun and lthe comblncd gas-nozzle and aircompressor.

Figs. 9 and i() are like views ot' modified forms of the same. Fig. llis a fragmentary view of the iiring mechanism. Fig. l2 is a section ofthe compressor-tube on line 17 17, Fig. 10; and Figs. 13 and la arediagrammatic views IDO illustrating' the three cylinders for opening andclosing the breech mechanism, together with the lines of communicationbetween them and the valve for controlling the How of pressure thereto.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is a stationary support for a revolvingplatform 2, turning `on antifrictional bearings 3 and retained inposition on the support 1 in any suitable manner, here shown as by aclip-ring 4. Suspended under the support 1 is a compressedair reservoir5, having a pipe 6 connected thereto and passing centrally through thesupport l and platform 2, saidpipe 6 being preferably iexible throughoutthe whole or a portion of its length and communicating with a pipe orpipes 7, extending longitudinally under the gun from the breech to themuzzle end thereof.

Attached to the muzzle end of the gun isvrny combined gas-nozzle andair-compressor, by the use of which am enabled to utilize the gases ofdischarge to neutralize or minimize the recoil when the gun is tired andalso operatc an air-compressor for storing up energy to be used inmanipulating the gun and its breech mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 8, 34 is the muzzle end ofthe barrel, here shown asreduced in its outer diameter so as to leave a shoulder 35,

foration 40 being surrounded by the inwardly-v turned wall or liange ofthe frontend of the cyl/- inder, whereby the interior line of thecylinder at its front end leads forwardly along said iange and then on areverse curve rearwardly. The cylinder is also provided with one or morevent-ports 41, normally closed by the fiange 37 on the piston 36. Astout coiled spring 45 is interposed between the ring 38 and the piston36 and tends to hold the cylinder in its rearward position with thevent-ports 41 over the lange37. The cylinder is provided, with a tubularextension 42, within which fits the enlarged piston-like head 43 cf thepipe 7, which thus is brought into communication with the cylinder 39.cylinder is also provided with an inwardlyopening valve 44, whichpermits air to pass therethrough to enter the cylinder, but closes underthe influence of internal pressure, ussisted, if necessary, by a.spring. rlhe operation of this por tion of the device is as follows:When the gun is lired, the gases of discharge expand into thc forwardend of the The cylinder 39 the instant the projectile passes the muzzleof the gun and exert a forward pull upon the cylinderthat is, the energyof the gases of discharge is exerted in the opposite direction to thatof the recoil. This fors ward pull of the gases of discharge upon thecylinder is transmitted to the gun barrel through the spring 45, whichyields, however, and allows the cylinder to travel forward over thepiston 36, thereby forcing the air out of the cylinder, past a valve 46,and into the pipe 7, leading to the. reservoir 5. The cylinder inadvancing under the tension of the gases opens the vent-ports 41, andthereby permits the gases to escape, whereupon the spring 45 returns theparts to the position shown in Fig. 8, the valve 44 opening to permit afresh supply of air to enter the cylinder.

in the modification shown. in Fig. 9 the cylinder 47 is iixedly securedto the muzzle end of the gun and has a perforation 4S concentric withthe bore of the gun, and from this perforation a second cylinder 49projects inwardly a short distance concentric with the cylinder47.Snugly fitting within the cylinder 47 is aperforated piston 50, havingahollow piston-rod 5l extending into the cylinder 49, while a stiffspring 52 reacts between the piston and the forward end of the cylinder47. Forward of th piston the cylinder is provided with vcntports 53,which are normally covered by the flange. on the piston, and thecylinder is connected with pipe 7 at the forward end thereof, thetubular sleeve 42 of Fig. 8 being' omitted. The operation of this formof combined gas-nozzle and air-compressor will be understood from thethe description given of the operation of Fig. 8.

1n Fig. 10 I have illust-rated a construction like that of Fig. 8,except that in this ease the cylinder is fixedly secured to the muzzleYof the gun and the piston moves rearward under the pressure exerted bythe gases of discharge.

In this construction the tubular extension 42 ing'a piston 59, whose rodmoves in a slot 60,

formed in the tray under'the breech-block, and is provided with a toothor lug 61, enL gaging in a longitudinal slot 61", formed in thebreech-block. A pipe 62 extends from the pipe 7 (which is connected bythe pipe 6 to theI auxiliary reservoir 5) through the pintle 56 to theleft-hand end of the cylinder 58, as will be clearly understood from aninspection of Figs. 2 and 4. A-Talve 63 is interposed between the pipe62 and the pipe 7 and controls the admission of fluid to said pipe 62,as well as certain other ports and pipes hereinafter 5 fmentioned.

64 is a pipe leading from the cylinder 58 through the walls of the tray55 and a pistonrod 66, which rod has its rear end secured in the rearwall of the tray 55 and its forward end bearinga piston 67, playing inacylinder 68, formed in the breech-block, said cylinder being suitablyclosed at its rear end by a plate 69.

70 is a duct, likewise formed in the walls of the piston-rod 66 and thetray 55, leading` from the cylinder 68 through the stationary pintle 56to the left-hand end of the cylinder 71, sup ported on the body of thegun and having a piston 71 therein, whose rod 72 extends outward pastthe pintleof the gun and has formed thereon a rack 73, engaging atoothed segment 74, integral with or secured to the hinge portion oft-he tray 55, as will be understood by an inspection of Fig. 5. A pipe76 leads from the cylinderl to the valve 63, its point of exit from thecylinder being such that the piston when traversing the cylinder fromleft to right will move over the mouth of the pipe 76 before coming torest.

77 is a pipe also leading from the valve 63 to the right-hand end of thecylinder 7l and to the rear of the piston when said piston is at rest insaid right-hand end of the cylinder. (See Figs. 2 and 4.)

78 isa pipe leading from the cylinder 71 to the lower end of the pintle56 and thence in the form of a duct upward through said pintle and thewallsof the carrier 55 to the rear end oi" the piston-rod 66 and thencethrough said piston-rodinto thecylinder 68 in front of the piston 67.

79 is a duet leading from the cylinder 68 on the forward side of itspiston through the piston-rod 66 andthe walls of the carrier 55 to theThe ports` with their respective cylinders are controlled by suitablevalves, which valves are automaticallytripped by the piston in thecylinder aft'cr the piston has crossed the portand just as it is in theact of coming torest. Any suitable form of valve may be employed forthis l have illustrated one form in, Fig.

shown, under the influence of aspring 8l and having a stem'82 projectingupward into the path of the piston, which latter is slightly beveled atone corner, as shown.. 'lhe valve 80V controls the pipe 78 and preventsthe exit ot' fluid through said pipe except at the tlme when the pistonrests over the valve-stem 82 and depresses the valve against the actionof its spring. ln the drawings and the diagramthrough ducts and 79 isalso controlled by automatieally-tripped valves 83 and 84, closing onvalve-seats formed inthe body of the piston 67 and having valve-stemsprojecting in opposite directions through said piston, the stem of thevalve 83 being in position to be struck by the right-hand end of thecylinder 68 and thefstern of the valve 84 in position to be struck bythe left-hand end ot' such cylinder. The general arrangement andconnection of the three cylinders 58, 68, and 7l will best be understoodby reference to Figs. 13 and 14, which diagrammatieally illustrate theconnections between the several cylinders and the valve 63, whichcontrols the admission of fluid to said cylinders from the pipe 7 andthe lexit of the fluid from the cylinders.

Referring to Fig. 13, when the valve is positioned as shown in saidfigure fluid passes from the pipe 7 through the pipe 85 and the duct 86,formed in said valve 63, to the pipe 62 and thence into the cylinder 58,whereupon the piston 59 will be moved to the opposite end of thecylinder 58, tripping the valve at the entrance to the pipe 64 andcoming to rest with the piston and valve in the position indicated inFig. 14. Pressure will then flow through pipe 64 to the cylinder 68 andmove the piston 67 from the left to the right hand end of said cylinder,closing the valve at the entrance of pipe 79 and passing over theentrance to the pipe 70 and openingv the valve in connection with saidpipe, the piston coming to rest with the parts in the position shown inFig. 14; whereupon fluid will fiow through the pipe 70 into the cylinder71, forcing' the piston 71 to the left, closing the valve in the pipe 78by its initial movement and opening the valve in a pipe 76, leading'from the cylinder 71 to tho valve 63, the valve, however, in theposition assumed-that is, the position shown in Fig. 13V preventing theescape of pressure through said pipe 76. Uponf-shifting the valve 63from the position shown in Fig. 13 to that shown in Fig. 14 the duct 86will be shifted so as to register with the pipe 76 and with the port 89,leading to the atmosphere, and pressure will be permitted to pass freelyfrom cylinders 58, 68, and 71, through the pipe 76 and duct 86, to theatmosphere. At the same time that duet 86 is thus placed incommunication with pipe 76a second duct 90, formed in the valve 63, isplaced in communication with the pipe 85 and with the pipe 77, leading'from the valve to the cylinder 71, Awhereupon pressure flows from thepipe 7 into the cylinder 71, shifting the piston 71'Ll from the positionshown in Fig. 14 to that shown in Fig. 13, thereby closing the maticviews shown in Figs. 13 and 14 the 1 valve controlling` they pipe 76 andopening the IOO IOS

IIO

vulve lending into pipe 78, the parte then essuminof the position shownin 13, iif'hereupon nuid passes through pipe 78 into the cylinder' 558and forces-the piston 67 from the positionshown in l to that shown ini3, closing the entrance to the pipe TO and opening the velve leadinginto the pipe 79, as shown in 13, there-hy permitting iuid to poss fromcylinder 68 through pipe T9 to cylinder 58 and forcing the piston 59 inseid cylinder from the position shown in ift to that shown in Fin'. 13,closing` the valve st the mouth of pipe 64 in its movement.

it wili he observed that when the parts are in the 'position shown inFig. the cylinder il in communication with the atmosphere by rmy oi pipe7? and branch pipe 92, which communicates through suitable ports and aduct S3 in the relire 63 with the atmosphere. will also be observed thatwhen the velve is iny the gosition shown in Fig'. M communes.- tionbetween the left-hand side 'of the piston il and the atmosphere is outoi', while the right-hond side oi' the cylinder open to the stmoson rethrough pipe TG and the duct heretofore described. ifi/T ith thisdingrinnin tic illustration. of the manner in which the three cyiindersemployed in menipuhiting the i-hlocii: are connected end the ineens ythe piston in each cylinder is caused oily trip o valve which permits toposs to the next cylinder in the the o; er:-.tion oi the improved Ineensinqi l closing' the breech-block will :Ldiiy understood, sind operationbeing es for or n he r in the ",osiiion shown in r is closei'i.

the breech ole-c..A

J. 2 36, and t ie 62 up through the p ntie 5e, end' thence 1i lo theleft-hed end oi' the cylind 58, es ein, ly shown in Fig. 2., thusforcing the n 5i) to the right, whereupon 'the lug engagement with thelongg'itudinei slot the breef .h-i,\loch, imports to the breechblocl( u.tu ning movement sniiicient to unlock the interrupted screw-threads onthe block from those in the breech of the zgun. the piston reaches theterminus of its movement to the right it trips the vulve leerling to thepipe (54; and pressure vie seid pipe into the cyiinder 68 to the rearoi' the piston e? inasmuch es the piston-rod 66 is secured in the ren-rwell ot' the carrier the piston cannot move; but the pressure betweenthe rear oi" the piston and the rear end oi" the cylinder to, formed-hythe plete ("0 serves to Withdr UU, the breech-"block rearward over thepiston and into the troy. Just es the breech-block reaches the end ofits movement the forward end or' the cylinder (58, formed in seid block,strikes the stem of the valve 83 and forces seid vulve open against thetension of its spring, (see fischio thereby permitting' pressure to Howthrough the duct TO, formed in the walls of the piston-rod 66, thecarrier and the pintle 56 into the left-hond end of cylinder 7l, (seeFig.

4,) thereby forcing' the piston 7l in seid cyl-` eninst )iston '71 willserve to rifridly heid 2b i b the ports in this position. 'ihe ,gunhaving been loaded, the reverse of the movements just described. isaccomplished by shifting the valve 63 from the position shown in Fig. i3to that shown in Fig. le, whereupon the pressure in the cylinders 58,68, and 7l escapes to the atmosphere through the pipe 76 and the duct86, s vwill he understood from inspectingn Fig. li, and pressure iiowsfrom the pipe 7 through the pipe 85 end the duct 10 in the valveG3i/21nd pipe 77 into the riglit-hend end oi' the. cylinder 7l., therebyforcing the piston 7l from the right to the left, Fig. 4, where-- uponthe rscl; 752, engaging with 'the toothed segment 74;, swings the troy55 beck iig-einst the breech end of the gun, which movement iscorripietcd just as the piston 71' reaches the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. end the vulve controlling the pipe 78 in seid cyiinder 7l.boing` opened pressure iiows through seid pipe upward through the pintle56 end the wuiis of the tray ond the piston-rod 66 into the cylinder 58,es will. be understood by en inspection of Figs. 3 and 4, The riressureagainst the forward end of the cylinder 63 forces the breech-block toreenter the hreecl'i of the gun, und just es it is pushed fully home therear end of the cylinder 68 strikes the stem of the volvo 8e, as shownin 5, permitting,` pressure to pass outward through ducti, formed in thewalls of the `gisten-rod 66, and the tray 55 to the righthand end of thecylinder 58, thereby for ing the piston in said cylinder to theleft-hand end oi' seid cylinder und imparting to the breechblock apartiel turn, which serves to engage the threads on the block with thosein thc gun. 'ihe pressure in the cylinder 58 also serves to iirnilymaintain the breech-block in this locked position until such time as thecylinder is vented, which Venting` may be secured by shifting the Valve63 from the position shown.

in Fig. le to that shown in Fig i3, whereupon the pressure posses tronicylinder 58 through. pipes 79, cylinder 68, pipe 78, cylinder 7l, pipes77 and 92, und duct 93 to the atmosphere. For the purpose oi avoiding`any break in the continuity of the ducts 62, 70, and 78 at the 'pointwhere they pass from the pintle of the troy to the mein body of the trayduring the Incremento? which the trey is capabie.

.in 'i'od' is in engegeinent.

Vvaivee rearward, the rod 88, attached to said `gun, end theconstruction. Ais euch that the 105 when the breccibbiocli is witiidiawnand.

reame turning; movement ci the latter around the pintle a partialiycircular chamber 9G. is formed-in the hinge o? the troy, es Wili beundei-stood by inspection oi This charnber extends enough on 'each' sideoit the duct temoinn uninterrupted communica tion through s id ductduring any turning The Valve 63 mcy manipulated inannaly by a siiitebiehendmiieel 87, and, its connectingrod is es shown in 2 and Provision isaise made *Lio-'r automatically operating; said valve when ,een isfired. For thispurpose the valve (shown in Fig. 8) has a red 88exifendiril'r;F reitrward through 'the pipe i' and projectingtherefromin immediate proximity to a disk 91h, formed on the valve-stem, as showne, This disk 9i has a shoulder 91l formedtbereou, with which the heel ofthe Vixen the gun is fired and the air-compressor acts to force theVaive, also moves rearward, compressing the Se between the shoulder 95and the rear end of the tube 7. Upon this rearward inoyement the heei ofthe rod 88 engages the shouides: 91a on the disk 91h, thereby revoivingthe valve-stom' and with-it the visive., shifting tbe latter Arom theposition shown in, Fig. is 'tothst shown in i3, thus permitting" thecurrent to iiow in the direction necessary to automatically open thebreech mechanism.

The reservoir 5 is connected by suiteble piping with the,air-compressor, with the trunnionenpporting cylinders ii end fneievatinef and depressing cylinder '20, cylinders 58, 68, and il for manipnieting the breech. mechanism and, motor E8-13er traversing the breechmechanism may be operated. either sin tornetically at eeoh discharge ofthe or its operation may be contoiied by the hand- Whoei Bi'.

Referring to 3, e', and il, 10i vis e iiring-nin iccated in tube 192,seoured'cee treliy'iu the breech- Mock andere," ward through cylinder'68 eating with tbe contrai bore .i tonrod 66, seid tube reciiro bore 103ci :the piston-rod es the breec is'rnoved backward and forward inWitiidr ing; it fromm" repiac' y of the gnu. The front end or et of thepin 10i may extend thro@ w opening in the block to impiego on ci'the'Eai-trdge, end giofr'esr end of trienio `irojects from. te tubo 3.92in o to be struck by any suitsble striker-Ls, ple, spring-actiieted iplnngeree forced back against the tension s isL ring;

retained in its rear ooeition by the spring actuated sear "M35, l

The operation oi' the device as a whois is felici/vs: Upontne dischargeof the een *he bil securely in its open position until the valve 63 isturned from the position shown in Fig. 13 to that shown in Fig. le, whenthe passage of the current through the cylinders 58, 68, and Ii isreversed and the breech-block closed. lin cese it is desired that thebreech mechanism should be opened at the will of the -gunner rather thanautomatically the disk 9i on the valve-stem 87 may be arranged so as toturn loosely upon the valve-rod or be rio;- idiy connected thereto, asmay be desired. Any suitable means may be employed for thus rigidlyconnecting the disk Qlbto the vaivesters': 87a or disconnecting it'therefrom. i have shown in dotted lines a set-screw l0?,

7, which may be empioyed for this purpose. The air-reservoir 5,1nay beinitially ,charged by a suitable air-pimp, which may be connected in anysuitable mannerwith the reservo'ir-as for example, through theinietvelve e of the air-compressor.

li'yhiie i have herein shown and described my invention as an entirety,i have not claimed the means for traversing, elevating, depressing, andlocking the gun by the use voi" the stored energy oi' the gases ofdischarge, eeA saine :forms the snbjectmatter of a separate application,Serial No. 37,817, tiled November 26, i900. I l

' Having; thus described my invention, what cioim is- K i. @hecombination of a gun, an air-oook' ressor supported onthe Amuzzlethereof, a gescatebing nozzle also supported on the muzzie oi the gun'and operatively connected to s d.nir-compresser.`

. ina gun the combination of the barrel the combined gas-nozzle andalr-`com gressor supported on the muzzle of the barrel.

i3.4 The combination of the cylinder and pisc y ton supported on themuzzle of the gun and beging nimlenoentv relative to each other and Vaggwcatching chamber of which `the piston. ji'orins one or the Walls.

e. in a gun the combination oit' a nozzie and. piston sunpozted near themuzzie end of the baz-rei and movable reietiveiy to each other, a

loo

spring between the piston and cylinder,

air-reservoir, s'condnit connecting said cylinder and reservoir and acheclovaive in said condena.v f

5. in a gun, the combination of a nozzle for catching the gases ofdischarge, a power de'- vice for operating the breech mechanism,

means controlling the application 'of power to said device, andoperative connections between said nozzle and controlling means.

6. In a gun the combination ofA ages-catching nozzle, a power device foroperating the breech mechanism, means controlling theapplication ofpower to said device, and connections between Asaid nozzle andcontrolling means whereby the latter are automatically operated toadmitpower to said device upon discharge of the gun.v

7. In a gun, the combination ot' a gas-nozzle, a fluid-actuated powerdevice for operating the breech mechanism, avvalve controlling thepassage of fluid tosaid device, and means extending from the -nozzle'tosaid valve and operating'it to admit fluidl to said power de- 'vice whenthe gun is'fired, whereby the breech is automatically opened upon thedischarge of the gun.

8. In a gn the combination of a nozzle catching the gases of discharge,a Huid-actuated power device for operating the breech mechanism, a valvecontrolling the passage ot' motive fluid to said power device, and meansactuated by the gases of discharge to operate I said valve.

9. In a gun, the'combination of. a nozzle catching the gases ofdischarge, an air-compresser connected therewith, a finiti-actuatedpower device ,f or operating the breech mechanism, a valve controllingthe passage of moytive uid to said device, an outlet-valve to said 'compresser and operative connections between said outlet andcontrollingvalves.

10. T'he combination of the gun, its breech mechamsm, and pneumaticcylinders for op- .lerating said mechanism, with an air-com- Lis pressoractuated by the gases of discharge, an outlet-valve for said compressor,a valve controlling the supply oi' air to said pneumatic cylinders, anda rod extending from said outlet-valve into operative relation with saidcon: trolling-valve. I

11. ln agun, the combination of the breechL block, a Huid-actuated powerdevice for oper,- ating the same, 'a valve controlling the passage ofmotive Huid to said device, and discharge-actuated means operativelyconnected to said valve.

12. ln a gun, the combinationol the breechblock, afluid-actuated powerdevice for opcr- 'reame andadmitting motive duid to said cylinders oneafter the other.

15. rlhe combination of agun and its breechblock havinga plurality ofmovements to open or close the breech, with a series of motor-cylindersin operative relation with said breechblock, and means permitting motivefluid to pass through said cylinders in series.

16. The combination of a gun and its breechblock having a plurality ofmovements to open or close the breech, with a series ofmotor-cylinders,1 one for each opening or closing movement, valvedconnections between said cylinders, 'and means automatically andsuccessively opening said valves, whereby motive tiuid is admitted tosaid cylinders in succession and the opening or closingmovements of theblock are consecutively imparted thereto.

17. Thev combination of the gun and the breech-block having rotating andreciprocating movements, with a motor-cylinder operatively connected tothe block to rotate it', a second cylinder operating to reciprocate theblock, a valved connection between said cyl# inders, meanscontrolli'ngthe admission of motiv" Huid to said first-mentionedcylinder, and means automatically opening the valve in said connectionsand permitting the motive Huid to pass to the second cylinder.

18. The combination of the gun and its breech-block having rotating,reciprocating'- and swinging movements with a motor-cylinder to rotatethe block, a second cylinder to reciprocate the block and a'thirdcylinder to impart the swinging movement thereto, and means foradmitting motive iiuidto said cylinders.

` 19. The combination ot' the gunand the breech-block havingrotating,reciprocating ando., inging movements with a motor-cylinder to rotatethe block, a second cylinder to reciprocate thebloch and a thirdcylinder to 'impart the swinging movement thereto, andAautornatically-operatedmeans for admltting vmotive iuid to saidcylinders consecutively.

20. The combination of the gun and a breechblock having rotating,reciprocating and swinging movements, with a carrier tray hinged lto thegun, a motor-cylinder supportedon said tray in operative relation withthe breech-block to rotate it, a second cylinder in operative relationwith said block to reciprocate it, a third cylinder operativelyconnected to the tray to swing the same around its hinge,

and means for supplying said cylinders with motive fluid. v

21. The combination of the gun, the breechblock and the air-reservoir,with the gas-nozzlc, the air-compressor connected thereto andcommunicating with the reservoir, 'motor-cyl" inders in operativerelation with the breechblock, connections between the reservoir andsaid cylinders, and means tor controlling said connections.v

22. The combination of a gun, a breech-,

IOC

ISO

the carriage, means operated by gases of discharge to place the Huid insaid reservoir under pressure, and connections between said reservoirand motor mechanism, whereby en i ergy due to the discharge of the gunis utilized to open the breech.

In testimony whereof l have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

y SAMUEL N, MCCLEAN. Witnesses:

L. 0. MALLERY, S. T. MAIERON.

